DOCSLIB.ORG

Cytology of Oxalidaceae

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cytology of Oxalidaceae 200 Cytologia 23 Cytology of Oxalidaceae P. M. Mathew Botany Department, University College, Trivandrum, India Received January 24, 1958 Introduction The family Oxalidaceae consists of seven genera (Rendle 1952) and about 900 species, mostly pantropical, the greater number of which being dis tributed in the warmer parts of the world. Of the seven genera, Oxalis with about 800 species, which has one centre of distribution in South Africa and another in South America, forms the most conspicuous genus. The family is not well represented in India. Hooker (1875) lists only 15 species belonging to four genera as occurring in India. Gamble (1915) reports 9 species in three genera, Oxalis (1 species), Biophyturn (6 species) and Averrhoa (2 species), in the former Presidency of Madras. Rama Rao (1914) has recorded 6 species in three genera as occurring in Travancore. A considerable amount of work has been done in the past on the aytology of the family, especially on the important genus, Oxalis. As early cs 1927 Heitz listed the chromosome numbers of 26 species of Oxalis. Later investigators like Matsuura and Suto (1935), Kostoff et al (1935), Yamashita (1935), Wulff (1937) and Rutland (1941) have reported the cytology of about a dozen species of Oxalis. Quite recently Marks (1956) has studied the cytology of 24 species of Oxalis, of which 16 were South African and the rest South American. Krishnaswamy and Raman (1949) counted the chromosome number of one species of Averrhoa. The study reported here concerns five species of Oxalis namely O. pubescens, O. corniculata, O. pes-caprae, O. violacea and O. tetraphylla, two species of Averrhoa namely A. carambola and A. bilimbi and one species of Biophytum namely B. sensitivum. Materials and methods The materials for this study were collected from different places in South India. Oxalis pubescens, O, pes-caprae and O. tetraphylla were collected in September 1954 from Kodaikanal, where they are grown as garden plants. O. violacea was collected from Peermade. All the above mentioned species of Oxalis were found to grow well at higher altitudes. Other species like O. corniculata, Biophytum sensitivum, Averrhoa corambola and A. bilimbi were available locally in Trivandrum. In all these materials the chromosome counts were made from pollen 1958 Cytology of Oxalidaceae 201 mother cells during meiosis. For this purpose flower buds were usually collected from plants growing in their natural condition and were fixed in Carnoy's fluid (absolute alcohol and glacial acetic acid in the ratio 3:1). Use of a trace of iron acetate in the fixative was found to be helpful in some cases in getting well stained preparations, but in the case of Oxalis this Text-figs. 1-8. Explanatory diagrams of Figs. 1-8 in Plate V. All Figs. •~1125. 1. Oxalis pubescens, n=24. 2, O. corniculata, n=24. 3, O. pes-caprae, n=14. 4, O. tetraphylla, n=28. 5, O. violacea, n=14. 6, Averrhoa bilimbi, n=11. 7, A. carambola, n=11. 8, Biophytum sensitivum, n=9. did not produce any improvement on account of the tendency of the cytoplasm to absorb the stain. Fixed materials kept under low temperature in a re frigerator for at least a week produced sufficiently good results. Slides were prepared according to simple acetocarmine technique. Photomicrographs were 202 P. M. Mathew Cytologia 23 taken usually from fresh smears. Explanatory diagrams were drawn on enlarged photographic prints taken on smooth white matt paper which were reduced to desired size in reproduction. Observations Oxalis Linn. This is a tropical and subtropical genus consisting of over 800 species. In a monograph of the genus, Knuth (1930) describes them in 37 sections. Several species and varieties are grown as ornamental plants because of their brilliant yellow or purple flowers and beautiful foliage. The chromosome numbers of about 62 species have been reported by earlier investigators (listed elsewhere). Cytology of five species have been reported here, of which Oxalis corniculata is the only species indigenous to South India. All the others are introduced plants. O. pubescens H. B. and K. There is no previous cytological report on this species. During meiosis 24 bivalents were clearly observed in pollen mother cells at diakinesis (Text Fig. 1 and P1. V, Fig. 1) O. corniculata L. Two chromosome numbers have been reported in this species by previous workers. While Rutland's report (1941) shows the number as 2n=24, Marks (1956) reported it as 2n=48. Result obtained from the present study agrees with that of Marks. During meiosis 24 bivalents were clearly counted from pollen mother cells at first metaphase (Text-Fig. 2 and P1. V, Fig. 2). Bivalents at this stage showed a clumping tendency. O. pes-caprae L. The chromosome number of this species has been reported by Marks (1956) as 2n=28. Present study also showed the same number. The number of bivalents observed during meiosis was 14 (Text-Fig. 3 and Pl. V, Fig. 3) O. violacea Linn. The cytology of this species is studied for the first time. The chromo some number was found to be the same as that in O. pes-caprae. This was found to be a comparatively difficult cytological material owing to the tendency of the cytoplasm to absorb and retain the stain. Meiosis was quite normal with regular anaphase separation which resulted in the clear disposi tion of 14 chromosomes each on either side of the cell. The metaphase of the second division with 14 chromosomes each in two groups is shown in Text-Fig. 5 and P1. V, Fig. 5. O. tetraphylla Cav. Of all the species of Oxalis studied during the present investigation this species showed the highest chromosome count. The number of bivalents Cytologia, 1958 Plate V P. M. Mathew: Cytology of Oxalidaceae 204 P. M. Mathew Cytologia 22 observed at metaphase I in pollen mother cells was clearly 28 (Text-Fig. 4 and P1. V, Fig. 4). Bivalents in this stage were very much condensed and they were smaller than those in the other species of Oxalis. Biophytum De Cand. This is a tropical genus with about 50 species. It is represented in India by 8 species (Hooker 1875), of which the cytology of only one is reported here. No previous cytological report on this genus is available. B. sensitivum DC. Prodr. Meiosis was studied from materials collected from two localities and the haploid chromosome number was found to be 9 in both. Bivalents at metaphase I are appreciably condensed and they take very good stain (Text Fig. 8 and P1. V. Fig. 8). They were comparatively smaller in size. Averrhoa Linn. This is a tropical arborescent genus with only two species, A. bilimbi and A. carambola. These are cultivated for their fruit which tastes like goosberry. A. bilimbi Linn. There is no previous report on the chromosome number of this species. The number of bivalents counted from pollen mother cells at metaphase I was clearly 11 (Text-Fig. 6 and P1. V, Fig. 6). Meiosis was normal with regular anaphase separation. A. carambola Linn. The chromosome number in this species has been reported by Krishnas wamy and Raman (1949) as 2n=24. But the present study does not agree with their findings. The number of bivalents observed in several pollen mother cells was very clealy 11 (Text-Fig. 7 and P1. V, Fig. 7). The division was normal and four pollen grains of equal size were formed from each mother cell. In the accompanying list is given the chromosome numbers so far known in the family Oxalidaceae. Present study 1958 Cytology of Oxalidaceae 205 Previous reports 206 P. M. Mathew Cytologia 23 Discussion Basic chromosome number and relationship of Oxalidaceae From the chromosome determinations so far made on the family, as seen from the list above, it is obvious that Oxalis is a multibasic genus with fairly wide range of basic chromosome numbers. O. bupleurifolia is reported to have 2n=10 (Heitz 1927 and Marks 1956), and as this is the lowest diploid number so far known in the genus, 5 may be taken as the lowest basic chromosome number in Oxalis. Some of the other pre viously investigated species like O. eriolepsis Wedd. (2n=20), O. versicolor L. (2n=30), O. ciliaris Jacq. (2n=40) etc. show different grades of polyploidy on the basic number 5. However, no species of Oxalis, which can be brought under the group with 5 as basic number, has been observed during the present study of the genus. South African and South American species like O. cuneata Jacq., O. dispar Brown, O. rosea Jacq. and O. chrysantha Jacq., all showed 2n=12 (Marks 1956), and from these counts it is clear that 6 is the next higher basic number in Oxalis. Species like O. stricter L. with 2n=24 (Wulff 1937), and O. corniculata L. and O. pubescens H. B. and K., both with n=24, evidently are polyploid species on this number. Of the 62 species of Oxalis previously studied, the vast majority of them showed chromosome numbers in multiples of 7, and in the present study also three species out of five, such as O. violacea (n=14), O. pes-caprae (n=14) and O. tetraphylla (n=28), have chromosome numbers agreeing with the basic number 7. This would mean that 7 is the predominant basic number in Oxalis, and on account of this Marks (1956) has even suggested that 7 is probably the archaic basic number for the genus, all others being 1958 Cytology of Oxalidaceae 207 derived from it by fragmentation or fusion of chromosomes during the course of evolution. Species like O. valdiviensis , possessing 2n=18 (War burg, 1938 and Marks 1956), and O.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Geranium Family, Geraniaceae, and the Mallow Family, Malvaceae
    THE GERANIUM FAMILY, GERANIACEAE, AND THE MALLOW FAMILY, MALVACEAE TWO SOMETIMES CONFUSED FAMILIES PROMINENT IN SOME MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE AREAS The Geraniaceae is a family of herbaceous plants or small shrubs, sometimes with succulent stems • The family is noted for its often palmately veined and lobed leaves, although some also have pinnately divided leaves • The leaves all have pairs of stipules at their base • The flowers may be regular and symmetrical or somewhat irregular • The floral plan is 5 separate sepals and petals, 5 or 10 stamens, and a superior ovary • The most distinctive feature is the beak of fused styles on top of the ovary Here you see a typical geranium flower This nonnative weedy geranium shows the styles forming a beak The geranium family is also noted for its seed dispersal • The styles either actively eject the seeds from each compartment of the ovary or… • They twist and embed themselves in clothing and fur to hitch a ride • The Geraniaceae is prominent in the Mediterranean Basin and the Cape Province of South Africa • It is also found in California but few species here are drought tolerant • California does have several introduced weedy members Here you see a geranium flinging the seeds from sections of the ovary when the styles curl up Three genera typify the Geraniaceae: Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium • Erodiums (common name filaree or clocks) typically have pinnately veined, sometimes dissected leaves; many species are weeds in California • Geraniums (that is, the true geraniums) typically have palmately veined leaves and perfectly symmetrical flowers. Most are herbaceous annuals or perennials • Pelargoniums (the so-called garden geraniums or storksbills) have asymmetrical flowers and range from perennials to succulents to shrubs The weedy filaree, Erodium cicutarium, produces small pink-purple flowers in California’s spring grasslands Here are the beaked unripe fruits of filaree Many of the perennial erodiums from the Mediterranean make well-behaved ground covers for California gardens Here are the flowers of the charming E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts
    The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist • First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Somers Bruce Sorrie and Paul Connolly, Bryan Cullina, Melissa Dow Revision • First A County Checklist Plants of Massachusetts: Vascular The A County Checklist First Revision Melissa Dow Cullina, Bryan Connolly, Bruce Sorrie and Paul Somers Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is one of the programs forming the Natural Heritage network. NHESP is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. The Program's highest priority is protecting the 176 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 259 species of native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts. Endangered species conservation in Massachusetts depends on you! A major source of funding for the protection of rare and endangered species comes from voluntary donations on state income tax forms. Contributions go to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund, which provides a portion of the operating budget for the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. NHESP protects rare species through biological inventory,
    [Show full text]
  • Outline of Angiosperm Phylogeny
    Outline of angiosperm phylogeny: orders, families, and representative genera with emphasis on Oregon native plants Priscilla Spears December 2013 The following listing gives an introduction to the phylogenetic classification of the flowering plants that has emerged in recent decades, and which is based on nucleic acid sequences as well as morphological and developmental data. This listing emphasizes temperate families of the Northern Hemisphere and is meant as an overview with examples of Oregon native plants. It includes many exotic genera that are grown in Oregon as ornamentals plus other plants of interest worldwide. The genera that are Oregon natives are printed in a blue font. Genera that are exotics are shown in black, however genera in blue may also contain non-native species. Names separated by a slash are alternatives or else the nomenclature is in flux. When several genera have the same common name, the names are separated by commas. The order of the family names is from the linear listing of families in the APG III report. For further information, see the references on the last page. Basal Angiosperms (ANITA grade) Amborellales Amborellaceae, sole family, the earliest branch of flowering plants, a shrub native to New Caledonia – Amborella Nymphaeales Hydatellaceae – aquatics from Australasia, previously classified as a grass Cabombaceae (water shield – Brasenia, fanwort – Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae (water lilies – Nymphaea; pond lilies – Nuphar) Austrobaileyales Schisandraceae (wild sarsaparilla, star vine – Schisandra; Japanese
    [Show full text]
  • Acute and Sub-Chronic Pre-Clinical Toxicological Study of Averrhoa Carambola L
    Vol. 12(40), pp. 5917-5925, 2 October, 2013 DOI: 10.5897/AJB10.2401 ISSN 1684-5315 ©2013 Academic Journals African Journal of Biotechnology http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB Full Length Research Paper Acute and sub-chronic pre-clinical toxicological study of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) Débora L. R. Pessoa, Maria S. S. Cartágenes, Sonia M.F. Freire, Marilene O. R. Borges and Antonio C. R. Borges* Federal University of Maranhão, Physiological Science Department, Pharmacology Research and Post-Graduate Laboratory. Av. dos Portugueses. S/N, Bacanga, São Luís – Maranhão-Brazil, CEP 65085-582. Accepted 18 June, 2013 Averrhoa carambola L., a species belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, is associated with neurological symptoms in individuals with renal diseases. The objective of this work was to accomplish a pre- clinical toxicological study of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) from A. carambola leaves. Wistar rats and Swiss mice, both male and female, were used in these experiments. The rats were used in the acute toxicity assessment, with the extract administered at doses of 0.1 to 8.0 g/kg (oral route), and 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg (via intraperitoneal route). The mice received the extract in doses of 0.5 to 5.0 g/kg (via oral and intraperitoneal routes) and were observed for 14 days. Rats were also used in the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation, and divided into three groups (n=10): control group, HE 0.125 g/kg and HE 0.25 g/kg. These animals received HE for a 60 day period, at the end of which a macroscopic analysis of selected organs was performed with biochemical analysis of the blood.
    [Show full text]
  • Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Oxalis Corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd
    Anti-proliferative and proteasome inhibitory activity Discoveryof Murraya koenigii Phytomedicine … 2015; 2 ( 3 ) : 18 - 22 . doi: 10.15562/phytomedicine.2015.2 Bindu Noolu & 6 Ayesha Ismail www.phytomedicine.ejournals.ca MINI REVIEW Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata Linn. Ansari Mushir, Nasreen Jahan*, Nadeem Ashraf, Mohd. Imran Khan ABSTRACT Oxalis corniculata is commonly known as Indian wood Sorrel. In Unani it is called as Hummaz and distributed in the whole northern temperate zone, United State of America, Arizona and throughout India. Oxalis corniculata is used in Unani medicine in the management of liver disorders, jaundice, skin diseases, urinary diseases etc. The plant been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like liver tonic, appetizer, diuretic, anthelmintic, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, blood purifier etc. Here we summarize the therapeutic potential of Oxalis corniculata. Keywords: Hummaz, Unani medicine, Oxalis corniculata, Indian wood sorrel Introduction Therapeutic uses Oxalis corniculata Linn. is a well-known Bustani Hummaz (garden variety) is plant described in ancient text of Unani physician beneficial in the treatment of safrawi amraz by the name of Hummaz. It belongs to the family (bilious diseases). Gargling with decoction of its Oxalidaceae which comprises 8 genera and 900 leaves relieves marze akala (stomatitis), it has species being prevalent in the tropics and beneficial effect in treating bilious vomiting, and subtropics and having richest representation in palpitation. Its lotion is used as a wash for snake Southern Hemisphere. In India 2 genera and a bite, the decoction of leaves is used in treatment dozen of species have been reported. It has of Khanazir (cervical lymphadenitis) and paste of delicate-appearance, low growing and herbaceous leaves is used to treat skin diseases like Quba plant.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetics, Character Evolution and a Subgeneric Revision of the Genus Pelargonium (Geraniaceae)
    Phytotaxa 159 (2): 031–076 ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition) www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ Article PHYTOTAXA Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.159.2.1 Phylogenetics, character evolution and a subgeneric revision of the genus Pelargonium (Geraniaceae) JOACHIM RÖSCHENBLECK1, FOCKE ALBERS1, KAI MÜLLER1, STEFAN WEINL2 & JÖRG KUDLA2 1 Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, Evolution and Biodiversity of Plants & Botanical Garden, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Münster, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology of Plants, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Schlossplatz 4, 48149 Münster, Germany. Correspondence to: Joachim Röschenbleck Abstract Previous molecular phylogenetic studies of Pelargonium have remained inconclusive with respect to branching patterns of major infrageneric lineages, with the exception of a basalmost generic split that reflects chromosome length differences. Because of this and the lack of clearly distinguishing morphological characters, no subgeneric classification has been undertaken so far. Here, we present increased phylogenetic signal using chloroplast atpB-rbcL spacer and trnL- F sequences including additional taxa (110 taxa in total) and character sampling. All analyses confirmed the previously recognised first split into two clades characterised by chromosome size, and also converged on four major clades (two within each chromosome size group). The four major clades are further supported by synapomorphic length mutations from both intergenic spacers. The evolution of characters from flower morphology and phenolic constituents was examined for usefulness for clade delimitation. Although character state distributions did not generally reveal clear synapomorphies for the respective lineages, differences in state distributions of floral characters and leaf phenols support the circumscription of these major clades.
    [Show full text]
  • Pelargoniums an Herb Society of America Guide
    Pelargoniums An Herb Society of America Guide The Herb Society of America 9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd. Kirtland, Ohio 44094 © 2006 The Herb Society of America Pelargoniums: An Herb Society of America Guide Table of Contents Introduction …………………………………………………………….…. 3 Contributors & Acknowledgements ……………………………………… 3 Description & Taxonomy ..………………………………………………... 8 Chemistry …………………………………………………………………. 10 Nutrition …………………………………………………………………... 10 History & Folklore ………………………………………………………… 10 Literature & Art …………………………………………………………… 12 Cultivation ………………………………………………………………… 13 Pests & Diseases …………………………………………………………... 19 Pruning & Harvesting ……………………………………………………… 20 Preserving & Storing ………………………………………………………. 21 Uses ………………………………………………………………………... 21 - Culinary Uses ………………………………………………… 21 - Recipes ………………………………………………… 23 - Craft Uses ……………………………………………………. 40 - Cosmetic Uses ……………………………………………….. 41 - Recipes ……………………………………………….. 42 - Medicinal & Ethnobotanical Uses & Aromatherapy ………... 43 - Garden Uses ………………………………………………….. 47 - Other Uses …………………………………………………... 48 Species Highlights …..……………………………………………………… 49 Cultivar Examples …………………………………………………………. 57 Literature Citations & References ………………………………………... 62 HSA Library Pelargonium Resources …...………………………………… 68 © The Herb Society of America - 9019 Kirtland Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH, 44094 - (440) 256-0514 - http://www.herbsociety.org 2 Pelargoniums: An Herb Society of America Guide Introduction Mission: The Herb Society of America is dedicated to promoting the knowledge, use and delight of
    [Show full text]
  • Flora of South Australia 5Th Edition | Edited by Jürgen Kellermann
    Flora of South Australia 5th Edition | Edited by Jürgen Kellermann KEY TO FAMILIES1 J.P. Jessop2 The sequence of families used in this Flora follows closely the one adopted by the Australian Plant Census (www.anbg.gov. au/chah/apc), which in turn is based on that of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG III 2009) and Mabberley’s Plant Book (Mabberley 2008). It differs from previous editions of the Flora, which were mainly based on the classification system of Engler & Gilg (1919). A list of all families recognised in this Flora is printed in the inside cover pages with families already published highlighted in bold. The up-take of this new system by the State Herbarium of South Australia is still in progress and the S.A. Census database (www.flora.sa.gov.au/census.shtml) still uses the old classification of families. The Australian Plant Census web-site presents comparison tables of the old and new systems on family and genus level. A good overview of all families can be found in Heywood et al. (2007) and Stevens (2001–), although these authors accept a slightly different family classification. A number of names with which people using this key may be familiar but are not employed in the system used in this work have been included for convenience and are enclosed on quotation marks. 1. Plants reproducing by spores and not producing flowers (“Ferns and lycopods”) 2. Aerial shoots either dichotomously branched, with scale leaves and 3-lobed sporophores or plants with fronds consisting of a simple or divided sterile blade and a simple or branched spikelike sporophore ..................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Phytopharmacological Importance of Pelargonium Species
    Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(13), pp. 2587-2598, 4 July, 2011 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR ISSN 1996-0875 ©2011 Academic Journals Review Phytopharmacological importance of Pelargonium species Saraswathi J.1, Venkatesh K.1, Nirmala Baburao 2, Majid Hameed Hilal 1 and A. Roja Rani 1* 1Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Osmania University, Hyderabad-500007, India. 2Department of Botany, Osmania University College for Women, Hyderabad 500095, India. Accepted 22 March, 2011 World population relies on plant-based traditional system of medicine for their primary health care. With the emerging worldwide interest in adopting and studying traditional systems, it is essential to explore the potential of plant based health care systems. A number of herbs belonging to the genus Pelargonium graveolens are noted for their medicinal benefits in traditional system of medicine. A lot of medicinally important attributes have been assigned to the plants of Pelargonium species . They are rich source of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, coumarins, tannins, phenolic acids, cinnamic acids, flavones, flavonoids and flavonols derivatives. Pelargonium -derived essential oil is used in perfumery, cosmetics, soaps, creams, aromatherapy products exhibit good antioxidant activity and has potential immune modulating effects no natural killer cells. It further relieves congestion especially for the breast tissue, improves circulation and excellent for stimulating and cleansing the lymphatic system, promotes healthy immune system, helpful for detoxification, overcoming addiction, phlebitis, hemorrhoids, fluid retention and indigestion. The important plants of this species which have been so far explored mainly include P. graveolens, P. sidoides, P. reniforme and P. radula etc . The present review aims at exploring the current scientific findings on the various species of Pelargonium .
    [Show full text]
  • Chemotaxonomy of Geraniaceae^
    CHEMOTAXONOMY OF GERANIACEAE^ T. SANT PRASAD REDDY AND L. L. NARAYANA Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal a b s t r a c t The Chemotaxonomy of 10 ^ecies di»tributed in 3 genera of Geraniaceae has been investi­ gated. They exhibit similarities as well aa differences in their chemical characters. Leuco-antho- cyanins are present in the seeds ofall the spodes studied, except Erodium maiacoidet. The presence of triterpenoids in ErotHum matacaidti. Geranium dunctum and G. earolimanum and steroids in G. molU has been inferred. These are however absent in the re.naining taxa. The relatio.Dhips of Geraniaceae with Oxalidaceae, Balsaminaceae, Tropaeolaceae and Linmanthaceae have been discussed in the light of chemical data gathered from present study and the available data from other disciplines. It is pointed out that while the similarides in chemical characters indicate a probable relationship between them, the differences justify their treatment as independent families. INTRODUCTION ha^ been placed under the order Gora- niales. There is however, difference of Geraniaceae comprises 5 genera and opiniort about the circumscription of the 750 species (Willis, 1966). The members order, the number of families included of the family are cosmopolitan in dis­ under it being fieven according to Ben- tribution, mostly extending from Tem­ tliam and Hooker C1862-1883), twenty perate to sub-tropical regions of the World according to Engler and Pranti (1931), (L. H. Bailey, 1969). Most of the species twenty one according to Bessey (1915), are cultivated for their ornamental value. nineteen according to Takhtajan (1967), However, some of them are medicinally ten %pcording to Benson (1957), thirteen important (Chopra, Nayar and Chopra, according to Thom e (1968) and five 1956).
    [Show full text]
  • Four Species of Pelargonium, Section Hoarea (Geraniaceae) and Their Possible Relationships
    90 S. Afr. J. Bot. 1995,61(2): 90- 100 Four species of Pelargonium, section Hoarea (Geraniaceae) and their possible relationships Elizabeth M. Marais Department of Botany, University of Stellenbosch, P rivate bag X5018, 7599 Siellenbosch, Republic of South Africa Received 7 July 1994; revised 4 January 1995 A description and an illustration of each of the four species are given. PeJargonium aestivale E.M. Marais is described as a new species, the synonyms for P. fissifolium (Andr.) Pars. are given, the illegitimate name P. pNosum Pars. is replaced by P. petroselinifolium G. Don, and P. aristatum (Sweet) G. Don is reinstated as a species. All of them afe tuberous species, belonging to section Hoarea (Sweet) DC. The four species have a similar chromosome number, and macromorphological, anatomical and palynological studies were done to delimit the species and determine their relationships. Although the chromosome numbers of the four species distinguish them from the rest of the species in section Hoarea, and although they have several characters in common, these characters are not unique within the section. 'n Beskrywing en 'n iUustrasie van elkeen van die vier spesies word gegee. Pelargonium aestivale E.M. Marais word as 'n nuwe spesie beskryf, die sinonieme van P fissifolium (Andr.) Pers. word gagee, die ongeldige naam P. pilosum Pers. word vervang deur P petroselinifolium G. Don, en P aristatum (Sweet) G. Don word herstel as 'n spesie. Almal van hulle is geofiete wat tot die seksie Hoarea {Sweet} DC. behoort. Die vier spesies het 'n soortgelyke chromosoomgetal en makromorfologiase, anatomiese en palinologiese studies is gedoen om die spesies af Ie baken an hulle verwantskappe te bepaal.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of Geraniaceae In
    Systematic Botany (2008), 33(2): pp. 326–342 © Copyright 2008 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of Geraniaceae in Relation to Climate Changes and Pollination Ecology Omar Fiz, Pablo Vargas, Marisa Alarcón, Carlos Aedo, José Luis García, and Juan José Aldasoro1 Real Jardín Botanico de Madrid, CSIC, Plaza de Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid, Spain 1Author for correspondence ([email protected]) Communicating Editor: Mark P. Simmons Abstract—Chloroplast (trnL–F and rbcL) sequences were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Geraniaceae and Hypseocharitaceae. According to these data Hypseocharitaceae and Geraniaceae are monophyletic. Pelargonium and Monsonia are sisters to the largest clade of Geraniaceae, formed by Geranium, Erodium and California. According to molecular dating and dispersal-vicariance analysis, the split of the stem branches of Geraniaceae probably occurred during the Oligocene, in southern Africa or in southern Africa plus the Mediterranean area. However, their diversification occurred during the Miocene, coinciding with the beginning of major aridification events in their distribution areas. An ancestor of the largest clade of Geraniaceae (Geranium, Erodium, and California) colonised a number of habitats in the northern hemisphere and in South American mountain ranges. In summary, the evolution of the Geraniaceae is marked by the dispersal of ancestors from Southern Africa to cold, temperate and often disturbed habitats in the rest of world, where only generalist pollination and facultative autogamy could ensure sufficient seed production and survival. Keywords—autocompatibility, dispersal-vicariance, drought-tolerance, molecular dating, nectaries, P/O indexes. The Geraniaceae are included in the order Geraniales along are characteristic of the Afro-Arabian land mass (Hutchin- with the families Francoaceae, Greyiaceae, Ledocarpaceae, son 1969).
    [Show full text]